Preview: Indians at Whte Sox

April 22, 2013|Reuters

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Preview: Indians at Whte Sox

The Cleveland Indians turned to the long ball to win their last two games, while the Chicago White Sox's bullpen came up small in their last two losses. The two teams occupying the last two spots in the American League Central will attempt to dig themselves out of an early hole when they begin a three-game set in Chicago on Monday. The Indians suffered their fifth straight loss in Friday's loss at Houston, but rebounded with seven homers and 24 runs to take the final two games of the series.

Chicago dropped a pair of close home games against the Minnesota Twins over the weekend after Friday's series opener was postponed. The White Sox used six relievers - four of which issued a walk - and took the loss in Saturday's 2-1, 10-inning affair. But the bullpen - which entered Sunday with a league-best 1.63 ERA - fell apart in the series finale. Matt Lindstrom, Donnie Veal and Jesse Crain combined to allow four runs in the seventh inning after starter Gavin Floyd gave up one run and three hits over six innings.

Masterson turned in easily his worst start of this season in Wednesday's 6-3 setback against Boston. The Indians ace surrendered four runs and 11 hits over a season-low five innings, three runs and one hit more than he allowed over his first three outings combined. Masterson has won both of his road starts in impressive fashion (0.69 ERA, 0.92 WHIP) and has already recorded a complete-game victory over the White Sox at home on April 12, holding Chicago to five hits in a 1-0 win.

Axelrod recorded his best effort of the season in Tuesday's 4-3 win at Toronto. The right-hander allowed two hits and seven hits over six innings, but did not factor into the decision. Axelrod yielded an unearned in his only other home start (April 6 against Seattle), but has not fared particularly well at U.S. Cellular Field over his career (1-1 with a 5.58 ERA). He has yet to record a decision in two appearances - including one start - against Cleveland, but has yielded four runs in 5 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Indians are 4-0 when leading after six innings, but 0-10 when they trail after six.

2. The White Sox are 0-6 when they fail to hit a home run.

3. Cleveland SS Asdrubal Cabrera missed Sunday's game after bruising his left wrist on a fall down the dugout steps a day earlier, but is expected to be available Monday.